Fatal Armed Domestic Violence Case Studies

From 2023 to 2024

Rachel Harrison (54), reported to have been fatally shot by her estranged husband Richard Harrison (59) (suspected murder-suicide). The alleged perpetrator was a cattle farmer who is believed to have turned the gun on himself after shooting his wife at their isolated farm in Leicestershire. Rachel had recently left her husband and was believed to have been in a new relationship. Inquest awaited.
Believed to have been legal gun owner.

Carrie Slater (37), fatally shot by her boyfriend Richard Basson (45) in their Leicestershire home. The court heard that the perpetrator had a “long history of violence”. Carrie’s sister referred to having seen bruises on her sister’s body in the past. Basson convicted.
Illegally-held handgun.

Rose Jobson (69), reportedly fatally shot by her husband Robert Jobson (84) (murder-suicide) in the grounds of their shooting range business in Lincolnshire. The couple represented England at international shooting tournaments. Rose had separated from her husband and was in a new relationship with a man said to be a close friend of Jobson’s.
Legal gun owner.

Hayley Burke (36), apparently fatally shot by her ex-partner Jacob Cloke (29) (murder-suicide) during a hostage situation in their home in Kent. Cloke was facing two counts of assault and one of causing actual bodily harm in three separate incidents against Hayley. He had been released on bail at the time of the attack and broke an order not to contact her or enter Dartford where she lived.
Illegally-held revolver.

From 2022 to 2023

Emma Pattison (45), reported to have been fatally shot by her husband George Pattison (39) (double murder-suicide, see Lettie Pattison below) in their home in the grounds of Epsom College, Surrey, where Emma was the Headmistress. College facilities include a shooting range in the grounds. Emma’s sister, Deborah Kirk, revealed that Emma had been the victim of coercive control and domestic abuse, and had planned to leave her husband. It has also been claimed that police had been called on two occasions regarding earlier allegations of domestic violence. Inquest awaited.
Legal gun owner

Lettie Pattison (7), apparently fatally shot by her father George Pattison (39) (double murder-suicide) in their home in the grounds of Epsom College Surrey. Lettie’s mother, also fatally shot, had been the victim of coercive control and domestic abuse (see above). Inquest awaited.
Legal gun owner.

Wendy Morris (76), fatally shot by her husband Edward Morris (79) (murder-suicide) in their home in Dorset. After shooting his wife while she was in bed, Morris, a retired butcher, called police to the house before turning the gun on himself. At the inquest a family member raised the suggestion of a suicide pact, but Dorset police confirmed there was no evidence of a pact or any clues to motives.
Legal gun owner.

From 2021 to 2022

Unnamed (30s) in Halesowen, probable domestic murder-suicide, but no further information.

Maxine Davison (51), fatally shot by her son Jake Davison (22) (multiple murder-suicide) in Keyham, Plymouth. After shooting his mother the perpetrator went on to shoot and kill Sophie Martyn, (3), Sophie’s father Lee Martyn, (43), Stephen Washington (59), Kate Shepherd (65) and to injure two other victims. The perpetrator was a troubled man whose legally-owned gun was temporarily seized by police following a violent incident involving two children in a park. Despite alleged appeals by the perpetrator’s parents to various organisations, raising concerns regarding their son’s behaviour, and their belief that he posed a threat and should not have access to a licensed gun, the shotgun was returned to him by police, with fatal consequences.
Legal gun owner – guns seized and returned by police.

Sophie Martyn (3), fatally shot, along with her father, by Jake Davison (22) (multiple murder-suicide) in Plymouth. See above.
Legal gun owner – guns seized and returned by police.

Kate Shepherd (66), fatally shot by Jake Davison (22) (multiple murder-suicide) in Plymouth. See above.
Legal gun owner – guns seized and returned by police.

Following the conclusion of the inquests into the Plymouth mass shooting, Senior Coroner Ian Arrow issued Prevention of Future Deaths reports to 48 recipients, including the Home Secretary; the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire; NPCC Lead for policing; All Chief Constables in England and Wales, and The College of Policing. The reports made recommendations across a number of areas, including:

1. There should be “root and branch reform” of firearms legislation. The Coroner expressed the view that the Firearms Act 1968 is out of date and not fit for purpose, and contributes to a situation which endangers public safety.
2. That the Home Office’s statutory guidance on firearms licensing, as currently framed is “at best confusing and at worst misleading” and its suggestion that licensing staff should not take into account allegations which have not been proved on the balance of probabilities, when deciding whether an applicant is suitable to hold a firearm, is “Premised on a misunderstanding of the underlying legal position“.
3. That there is an urgent need to develop and maintain a national accredited training regime for licensing staff. The Coroner noted that this recommendation has been made on numerous occasions since the Dunblane massacre, but that “over the past 27 years, there has been an abject failure” by successive governments to implement it.
4. That the Lord Chief Justice should ensure that adequate training on firearms licensing is made available to Crown Court judges as a matter of urgency, and that only judges who have undergone this training should be authorised to hear appeals against licensing decision under s.44 of the 1968 Act.
5. That all 43 Chief Constables in England and Wales should carry out an urgent review of cases where a person currently holds a gun which has been returned to them after an earlier refusal or seizure by the police. There is a concern that in many cases, individuals who pose a danger to the public may be in possession of firearms which have been returned to them following an inadequate risk assessment.
6. That there should be a mandatory requirement to place a warning marker on all medical records, not just GP records, so that health professionals can contact the police whenever a certificate holder reports symptoms (particularly mental health symptoms) that might affect their suitability to possess a gun.
7. That application fees should be set at a level which adequately funds the whole of the firearms licensing system. The inquest heard evidence that at present, the taxpayer subsidises most of the cost of firearms licensing, with the resulting risk that licensing departments are routinely underfunded.

The Coroner cited other recommendations, arising from previous inquiries and reviews regarding the training of police officers and police staff involved in firearms licensing decisions, that had not been put into effect. He suggested that if any lessons had been learned in the aftermath of earlier tragedies, they had been forgotten and that learning had been lost. He pointed out that over the past 27 years there had been an abject failure to ensure that nationally accredited training of firearms licensing staff had been developed and its currency maintained.

Catherine Wardleworth (72), fatally shot by husband Leslie Wardleworth (74) (murder-suicide) at their home in Southport. The couple were discovered by their daughter, three days after neighbours heard two shots. Catherine was found in the hall, and her husband, a retired gardener, was found in bed, his shotgun beside him.
Legal gun owner.

Pauline Angell (67), fatally shot by husband Eric Angell (71) (murder-suicide). Eric was a gun collector and treasurer of a gun club; he owned twenty-five firearms. He was reported to have been struggling with physical and mental illness and to have believed that his wife couldn’t live without him. He suffered from depression and had written to his GP referring to his mental health “… I can’t go on living like this.”
Legal gun owner – who used a hunting handgun presumed illegal.

From 2020 to 2021

Carol Smith (75), fatally shot by husband John, (79) (manslaughter-attempted suicide). John was a retired police officer and former soldier, caring for his terminally-ill wife at their home in Bexhill, following her discharge from a hospice. He later recovered from his self-inflicted injuries and was handed a custodial hospital order after pleading guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and possession of a firearm.
Illegally-held revolver.

Margaret Johnson (73), fatally shot by husband Simon Johnson (70) (murder-suicide) who was caring for her at home in Essex following her diagnosis of dementia in 2018. He was said to have been ‘struggling’ and needing help. When lockdown started in 2020 the services which were helping them were disrupted. His wife suffered a fall which increased his workload. A care provider made a safeguarding referral due to Simon’s behaviour towards his wife.
No information regarding gun or status.

A Domestic Homicide and Safeguarding Adults Review into the deaths has found that potential safeguarding opportunities to protect Margaret were missed.

Silke Hartshorne-Jones fatally shot by husband Peter Hartshorne-Jones (52) at their home in Suffolk, using a shotgun. Following the shooting, one of the couple’s children found their mother in her bedroom and told their father to call an ambulance. Hartshorne-Jones, a firearms dealer who also ran a recruitment business and was said to have had an “abnormality of mental function”, had not disclosed his history of mental health problems when applying for his firearms licences. Police seized eight shotguns, two rifles, two air rifles and nine stocks and barrels from the home after the killing. In March and April 2020 Hartshorne-Jones contacted medical services, including the ambulance service, A&E departments and GPs 26 times, complaining that he was suffering from Coronavirus and that no-one was listening to him. After admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility he has been sentenced to life, with a minimum term of eight years, in a mental health hospital. Being sentenced under Section 45a of the Mental Health Act, he may be transferred to prison if he becomes well enough.
Legal gun owner and gun dealer.

From 2019 to 2020

Kelly Fitzgibbons (40) and her young daughters (see below) were fatally shot by her partner Robert Needham (triple murder-suicide). Needham’s domestic construction business failed in October 2019 and the family moved to live with his mother. Needham was said to have been worried about ‘business drying up’ due to Coronavirus. A shotgun was found near the deceased family. Initially police reported to be ‘probing’ the origins of the weapon and failed to respond to media speculation and a FOI request regarding the weapon and its status. The weapon was subsequently found to have been legally-owned.
Legal gun owner.

Immediately following media reports that the Plymouth perpetrator was a licensed gun owner (see Maxine Davison above), the perpetrator in this tragic incident was also revealed to be a licensed gun owner. Later it was found that he had made a false declaration on his application form, and his GP apparently responded to police enquiry with a note referring to being unable to respond due to time constraints. Despite this the applicant had been granted a licence, with tragic consequences.

The bereaved family created The Kelly Fitzgibbons Foundation, a charity campaigning for gun licensing reform.

Ava Needham (4), fatally shot by her father Robert Needham (42), (triple murder-suicide) in West Sussex. See above.
Legal gun owner.

Lexi Needham (2), fatally shot by her father, Robert Needham (42) triple murder-suicide) in West Sussex. See above.
Legal gun owner.

Gwendoline Bound (80), fatally shot by her son John Bound (59) (murder-suicide) in their Carmarthen home. John Bound had a smallholding and had become concerned about being able to care for his sheep during Coronavirus lockdown. He owned three shotguns and two rifles and was said to be ‘devoted to his mother’.
Legal gun owner.

Debbie Zurick (56), fatally shot by her estranged husband John Zurick (67) (murder-suicide) at their home in Somerset. Zurick had been arrested for a drink-driving incident, and, after police confiscated his licensed guns from the gun cabinets he’d indicated to police, he had confirmed there were no further guns on the premises. Friends said he had “an issue with alcohol” and he was verbally abusive to Debbie when drunk. Debbie was in a new relationship, and had returned to the marital home to say she intended to divorce her husband.
Legal gun owner – used a shotgun illegally held from the victim’s secret cache of weapons believed to have been inherited from her father, a gun dealer.

Marion Price (63), fatally shot by her estranged husband Michael Reader (70) in her car in a car park in Northamptonshire in what the judge described as a “cold blooded execution”, saying the murder was “an act of revenge for the financial consequences of the divorce and punishment for the fact that Marion had moved on with her life after an abusive marriage”. Reader had an accomplice who was also sentenced.
Shotgun believed to have been illegally held.

Kathleen Gold (78), apparently fatally shot by husband Ronald Gold (83) (suspected murder-suicide). Gold had a garden machinery business, the couple were well known in the area and said to be ‘devoted’. Police called to the property discovered the couple with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. Two dogs were also found fatally shot.
No information regarding gun or status

From 2018 to 2019

Janette Dunbavand (81), fatally shot by her husband John Dunbavand (81) (murder-suicide). Police attending after reports of gunshots at their home in Hertfordshire, discovered the bodies of the two homeowners inside and a shotgun. Janette Dunbavand, a former Mayor of Berkhamstead and former Director of Hertfordshire Building Preservation Trust, was said to have been a keen horsewoman and a former member of a local hunt. At the time of her death Janette was suffering from advanced dementia.
Legal gun owner.

Christy Walshe (40), fatally shot by her boyfriend Michael Strudwick, (33). The perpetrator shot his girlfriend in the face at point blank range at her flat in Essex. She died later from catastrophic injuries. He used a shotgun that belonged to her former partner, about whom they had been arguing. Strudwick claimed to have accidentally shot Christy while attempting to take his own life, however he later changed his plea.
No information regarding status of gun.

From 2017 to 2018

Michelle Savage (32), fatally shot by her estranged husband Craig Savage (35) (double murder). After breaking in through a window at their East Sussex home, Savage, a former soldier, shot Michelle six times. He also killed Michelle’s mother, Heather Whitbread, and the family dog. Michelle’s pregnant sister and grandmother were also in the house at the time but escaped injury. Savage had previously slashed car tyres, uploaded revenge porn, poured paint on cars and threatened Michelle on numerous occasions after she refused to reconcile with him. Michelle had contacted the police about her fears prior to her death, despite which the perpetrator was able to visit a gun club and steal the murder weapon, a semi-automatic rifle, and ammunition.
Legally-held gun, belonging to a gun club before being stolen by perpetrator.

A police call handler has been given ‘management advice’ after failing to record a woman’s reports of escalating violence by her ex-husband. In three calls Michelle told police Savage was dangerous and she feared for her life.

Heather Whitbread (53), fatally shot by her daughter’s estranged husband Craig Savage (35) (see above). Savage is reported to have shot Heather seven times, also shooting dead Heather’s daughter Michelle (his former partner) and her pet dog. Heather’s other daughter, and her mother were also in the house at the time, but escaped injury.
Legally-held gun, belonging to a gun club before being stolen by perpetrator.

Cheryl Hooper (51), fatally shot by her estranged husband Andrew Hooper (45) (murder-attempted suicide). Hooper shot his estranged wife with a shotgun as she was sitting in a car outside her home in Shropshire. The victim’s 14-year-old daughter witnessed the attack. Earlier Hooper had seen his victim in a pub with another man, having traced her there by using a tracker device he had fitted to her car following their separation. After shooting Cheryl he turned the gun on himself resulting in severe facial injuries which left him unable to speak. Conviction.
Legal gun owner – history of domestic violence in previous marriage.

Following the verdict, it emerged that the perpetrator had threatened to kill his first wife after breaking into her home in 2004 and finding her with her new partner. He was prosecuted for aggravated burglary, however, after pleading guilty to affray he received a suspended sentence.

A spokesperson from the IOPC which investigated the victim’s reports to police about her estranged husband’s behaviour said “Police could not have reasonably foreseen the horrific events that transpired. While some inquiries could have been carried more quickly or thoroughly, we found no indication that any officers or staff acted in a manner that would justify any disciplinary proceedings.” Cheryl’s daughter Georgia who was a witness to domestic abuse and also the shooting, has featured in an ITV documentary and Radio 4 ‘Life Changing’.

Pauline Cockburn (48), fatally shot by her partner Kevin Armstrong (53) (murder-suicide) at his home in Roxburghshire. Armstrong was said to have been a gun enthusiast who enjoyed an outdoor lifestyle, country pursuits, and hunting.
No information about gun or status.

From 2016 to 2017

Claire Hart (50), fatally shot by her estranged husband Lance Hart (57) (double murder-suicide) four days after moving out of the family home in Lincolnshire. Hart also used a shotgun to murder his daughter Charlotte (19) in the same incident in a carpark outside a swimming pool. Claire’s two sons, Ryan and Luke, working abroad at the time, reported having endured a lifetime of struggle with their father’s behaviour, saying he had generated fear, exerted subtle financial control and isolated Claire from support networks. They had recently helped Claire and Charlotte rent a new home during the divorce.
Former legal gun owner.

Ryan and Luke Hart went on to become powerful award-winning advocates, and keynote international speakers raising awareness of domestic abuse and coercive control. They have partnered with the ‘Safe and Together Institute’ to develop a multi-media tool kit for professionals. They can be contacted via their non-profit organisation www.cocoawareness.co.uk

Charlotte Hart (19), fatally shot by her father, Lance Hart (57) (double murder-suicide) four days after Charlotte, and her mother Claire, also fatally shot with a shotgun in the same incident, moved out of the family home in Lincolnshire, into rented accommodation, assisted by her two brothers Ryan and Luke who were working away at the time of the shootings. See above.
Former legal gun owner.

Alison Muncaster (48), fatally shot by husband Stephen Muncaster (47) (murder-suicide). Muncaster was a legal gun owner. His GP was aware of the patient’s history of depression, breakdown of previous marriage, whose reported symptoms included loss of appetite, weight loss, inability to sleep and fleeting thoughts about killing himself, despite which Muncaster still had access to a gun in their Norfolk home. CCTV inside the property shows Alison sitting on the sofa, her husband retrieving a shotgun from under the bed in another room, and returning to point it at Alison, who was shot as she attempted to escape.
Legal gun owner.

From 2015 to 2016

Rita King (81), fatally shot by her husband Ronald King (87) at the Essex care home where she was a receiving care for dementia. King was also said to be suffering from mental health conditions, having also considered shooting his older sister, also a resident at the care home, and himself. King pleaded guilty to manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.
No information regarding the status of the WW2 revolver, said to have belonged to Rita’s father.

Maureen Postlethwaite (80), fatally shot by her husband Graham Postlethwaite, (77) (murder-suicide). The perpetrator was a legal gun owner, struggling to cope and feeling overwhelmed with farm work, and with being sole carer for Maureen, who was suffering from dementia.
Legal gun owner.